eric cantor, jon kyl left those talks when it became apparent that they weren't making progress. so finally the president took personal ownership and responsibility. i'm glad he did because only he and john boehner and mitch mcconnell are going to be able to leach a deal. there's not much time left to do that. i hope they go big. i hope we take advantage of this opportunity rather than have to deal with a piecemeal approach. >> woodruff: if democrats are prepared to give ground on entitlements on medicare and medicaid why can't republicans give some ground on the question of taxes especially, you know, we're talking about corporate taxes, doing away with tax breaks for people who own private jets? >> we're happy to talk to the president about tax reform, which is a commission, the simpson-bowles commission last december recommended. a lot of that is a good place to have a good extended discussion and to make our tax code flatter, fairer and simpler and also to make our companies more competitive when it comes to job creation here at home. but what it sounds like the president rea